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Cavity-enhancing features and methods for a cavity-running projectile

a technology of projectiles and features, applied in the design of watercraft hulls, marine torpedoes, weapons, etc., can solve problems such as damage to moving bodies, and achieve the effect of prolonging the time, enhancing the supercavitation phenomenon, and maintaining the

Active Publication Date: 2011-12-27
LOCKHEED MARTIN CORP
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention provides ways to enhance the supercavitation phenomenon to maintain or extend the time an underwater moving body can sustain a cavity-running mode. This is achieved by introducing cavity-enhancing features that promote the generation of gas bubbles, which work like pumping more air into the cavity. The features can be passive or active, and can be used in combination. The intelligence for activating the feature(s) can be obtained from sensors that sense a parameter that is indicative of a need to change the size of the cavity. Overall, the invention allows for a more effective and efficient use of the cavity-running mode.

Problems solved by technology

The transition from supercavitation to partial cavitation can be quite violent and abrupt, possibly resulting in damage to the moving body.

Method used

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  • Cavity-enhancing features and methods for a cavity-running projectile
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  • Cavity-enhancing features and methods for a cavity-running projectile

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second embodiment

[0039]FIG. 3 depicts cavity-enhancing feature 110. The cavity-enhancing feature depicted in FIG. 3 is a modified cavitator 304, which incorporates a contour-forming element(s). The contouring-forming element(s), which is embedded in the cavitator, is capable of forming contours (e.g., crests and valleys, etc.) in a controlled manner.

[0040]In the illustrative embodiment that is depicted in FIG. 3, the contour-forming elements are a plurality of individually-controllable rods 312. When actuated, the rods are capable of protruding from cavitator 304 by a desired distance, which can vary for each rod.

[0041]The embodiment that is depicted in FIG. 3 is essentially an “active” version of the embodiment that is depicted in FIG. 2. In other words, the surface profile of cavitator 304 can be changed while projectile 100 is underway, based on some “intelligence.”

[0042]In fact, all of the “active” cavity-enhancing features described herein rely on some intelligence for determining when to actua...

third embodiment

[0048]FIG. 5 depicts cavity-enhancing feature 110. The cavity-enhancing feature depicted in FIG. 5, which is active, is piezoelectric quartz fork tuner 530, which is embedded in cavitator 504. The tuner oscillates at ultrasound / microwave frequencies resonating with water molecules, thereby heating and ultimately vaporizing the water. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,434,547.

fourth embodiment

[0049]FIG. 6 depicts cavity-enhancing feature 110. The cavity-enhancing feature depicted in FIG. 6, which is active, is microwave generator 640. The microwave generator, which in some embodiments includes a crystal and antennae, is used to heat-up the air within the cavity, thereby increasing its vapor pressure (to decrease cavitation number). Microwave generator 640 is disposed in body 106 of projectile 100. Sustained microwave power is used to balance and equilibrate temperature and vapor pressure within the cavity to maintain the cavity's integrity.

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Abstract

A cavity-enhancing feature and method are disclosed for a projectile that is capable of operating underwater in a cavity-running mode.

Description

STATEMENT OF RELATED CASES[0001]This case claims priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60 / 911,415, which was filed on Apr. 12, 2007 and is incorporated by reference herein.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates to underwater moving bodies, such as projectiles, that are capable of operating in a cavity-running mode.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Research and development is currently underway to produce underwater projectiles that travel at very high speeds using the phenomenon of “supercavitation.” A progenitor of such projectiles is the “Shkval,” which is a rocket-propelled torpedo that was developed by Russia and achieves a velocity of 250 knots (288 mph).[0004]A supercavitating projectile's main features are a specially shaped nose and a streamlined, hydrodynamic, and aerodynamic body. The nose has a blunt leading surface that is referred to as a “cavitator.” When the projectile travels through water at speeds in excess of about one hundred ...

Claims

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Application Information

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Patent Type & Authority Patents(United States)
IPC IPC(8): F42B15/22F42B19/46
CPCF42B19/125B63B2001/382Y02T70/10
Inventor FU, JYUN-HORNG
Owner LOCKHEED MARTIN CORP